Game at a Glance: Storm 71, Phoenix 57

RECAP

71

57

The Storm balanced the twin goals of finishing the season with a win and getting some rest for key players during Sunday's season finale at Phoenix. Sue Bird played just 19 minutes and Lauren Jackson 12 in the 71-57 victory, while Tanisha Wright sat out. Because of 10 first-quarter turnovers, the Storm started slowly and trailed by as many as nine. The team took control in the second quarter and never relinquished the lead, giving the Storm three consecutive wins going into the postseason.

When she was on the floor, Bird was highly effective, scoring 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting, grabbing five rebounds and handing out four assists. Camille Little led the team with 14 points and eight boards. Katie Smith and Shekinna Stricklen scored 10 points apiece, with Smith handing out a team-high five assists. Former Storm draft pick Krystal Thomas grabbed a career-high 18 rebounds for Phoenix, which shot just 28.6 percent from the field.
Recap
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QUOTABLE

"We wanted to be able to play so that we could rest some of our key players, sit the ones down that can't play, put some of the minutes on the others, and you cross your fingers and hope no else gets hurt. And you still go out there and try and win. That's what it's all about."
- Brian AglerComplete Quotes/Notes

PHOTO OF THE NIGHT

Shekinna Stricklen finished her rookie season by scoring double figures for the seventh time in 15 games after the Olympic Break.
Barry Gossage/NBAE/Getty Images